Explore Telecommunications Careers

If you’re passionate about serving communities, working with your hands, and bringing people together, exploring careers in the telecommunications discipline will allow you to get one step closer to achieving your goals. Every day, we rely heavily on the internet to connect with others whether it be to socialize, join an important meeting for work, or contact someone in the event of an emergency. Regardless of your age, using the internet is an integral part of all our lives, and without it, we would have an otherwise difficult time attempting to reach others and get simple, everyday tasks accomplished. With the influx of new technology and network expansion, telecom technicians and engineers work hard to keep cell sites operating across the United States for numerous clients and communities. From structural analysis to new site build design, there are plenty of exciting ways you can join the telecom industry to make a difference.

Whether you’re just beginning your career or thinking about switching jobs midway through your life, taking on a new profession in telecommunications is an excellent way to exercise your skillsets and become a leader in your field.

Are you ready to take your career to new heights in the telecommunications industry?

What are Telecommunications?

Telecommunications allow individuals to communicate information over distances both far and wide. Whether it be over the phone, via radio, text, cable or satellite, we depend on high-speed internet to help ensure we can watch our favorite television show, call our boss, or send a quick message to a friend. Depending on the telecom structure or tower, service providers are responsible for making sure that they run smoothly and efficiently to deliver high-speed internet to businesses, communities, and regions both small and large to grow activity. Devices that are connected locally within a small geographic area are referred to as local area networks (LANs) while devices that are connected to larger areas like cities or regions are called wide area networks (WANs).

Telecom technicians and engineers are tasked with analyzing, designing, and modifying new sites. Cell towers come in different shapes, sizes, and may even be camouflaged to blend in with the environment! In addition, telecom technicians and engineers are responsible for providing different regulatory services for permitting such as zoning, geotechnical sampling, and environmental.

Whether it be for a building, tower, water tank, or billboard, engineers must determine the best course of action to optimize connectivity for communities and clients. For example, Colliers Engineering & Design collaborated with Brightspeed, an internet service provider to help install high speed fiber optic cable over 400,000 feet in Pittsboro, North Carolina. To do this, they conducted extensive fieldwork for data collection, prepared CAD drawings, and collaborated with right-of-way entities for project approval. Click here to read more.

Utility Design Engineering

In the telecommunications field, different utilities require various levels of maintenance and adherence to important regulations to mitigate costly mistakes and injury. That’s where utility coordinators come into play. Whether above or underground, utility coordinators are responsible for pinpointing issues that may affect the development of a client project. This may include ensuring the placement of natural gas lines, cross-bore prevention in various water/wastewater projects and making sure other utilities don’t interfere with one another. No matter what the project, utility design coordinators and engineers work hand in hand to ensure the safety of communities, making the utilities industry a highly rewarding career to be in.

Colliers Engineering & Design provides different utility design services to meet a wide range of project types including electric vehicle charging design, fiber engineering and design, and right-of-way land services. Click here to read about and explore more.

Types of Telecommunications

Whether you realize it or not, there are plenty of ways we utilize telecommunications in our everyday life. This includes:

• Internet
• Cell Phones & Landlines
• Satellite
• Radio & Television
• Microwaves
• Wireless Network

Career Paths Within Telecommunications

With the creation of new cutting-edge technology on the rise, the demand for telecom jobs and workers has increased more than ever. If you’re thinking about harnessing your skillsets in different areas of telecommunications, there are plenty of exciting career options you can explore both as an entry-level professional or as someone with more experience. For example, Ashley Sustek, Department Manager of Colliers Engineering & Design, and civil engineer by degree from The University of Akron recommends that someone entering the field for the first time will be required to familiarize themselves with different types of towers in addition to running a tower mount analysis to ensure that the equipment being used is compatible with the site. She also notes that you will also be required to learn various acronyms and important regulatory codes.

Depending on your interests, you may feel inclined to look into other careers in telecommunications where you can exercise new skillsets and work on diverse projects. Continue reading to explore more telecommunications careers:

Customer Service Representative

Troubleshoot issues, develop solutions for customer concerns, and process orders/returns for different services.

Telecom Lineman

Responsible for maintaining fiber optic cable in telephone poles by making repairs to damaged lines.

Utility Operator or Telecommunications Operator

Working in high-pressure environments, utility operators are responsible for overseeing complex networks, troubleshooting technical issues, communicating with service providers, and serving as the point of contact for emergency response operations.

Utility Officer

Also known as a utility worker, are responsible for cleaning, maintaining, and repairing utilities in buildings and other facilities. They may also work outdoors to provide landscaping services.

Utility Clerk

Coordinate with service providers, manage utility services within an organization, and monitor utility bills for timely payments.

In addition to these career options, Colliers Engineering & Design also offers a wide range of exciting telecom opportunities:

Telecom Structural Engineer

Conduct as-built site audits, structural analysis and design modifications of structures, and review zoning ordinances.

CADD Operator – Telecom

Collaborate with others, produce isometric drawings, and prepare exciting project exhibits.

Site Acquisition Specialist

Perform lease audits, design visits, and coordinate execution of agreements, leases, access and utility easements, and amendments.

Click here to explore additional telecom job opportunities at Colliers Engineering & Design.

How to Become a Telecommunications Engineer

If you’re thinking about pursuing your career in telecommunications, here are some steps to help you get started:

• Obtain a high school diploma or degree in a related field
• Apply to a community college to study telecommunications, electronics, networking, or a related field
• Apply to an apprenticeship program for hands-on experience, training, and mentorship

Some high-demand apprenticeship occupations include:

• Telecommunications Tower Technician
• Wireless Technician
• Broadband Technician

Educational Requirements to Become a Telecom Technician

To become a telecom technician or engineer, you must pursue a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications or a related field such as computer science, information technology, or electrical engineering. The bachelor’s degree must be accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) to demonstrate that you’re academically qualified to enter your field of discipline.

Although a master’s degree isn’t required, you can always pursue one to increase your earning potential and opportunity to advance into more specialized roles. However, should you decide to pursue a master’s degree Ashley Sustek recommends that you obtain it in business. She noted that being able to understand what ROI is, how certain decisions may potentially impact the business, and what it means to be an engineer are helpful qualities to help you stand out and succeed in the field.

Work Hours & Environment in Telecommunications

Typically, telecom technicians work forty-hour weeks and may work at night or weekend shifts. Technicians are required to travel, collaborate with others, and work with their hands as they repair wiring, telecommunications lines, fiber optic cables, and other devices.

Since telecom workers perform their jobs both indoors and outdoors, they must wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to ensure the safety of themselves and other team members. Technicians are required to lift heavy equipment, handle challenging situations, and work in tight spaces that put them at risk of falling or getting injured. Constant communication between team members is vital to prevent serious accidents or near-miss situations.

How Much Do Telecom Technicians Get Paid?

Depending on your level of experience, education, and the state that you live in, pay may vary as a telecom technician. As you advance in your field of study, obtain certifications, and pursue higher levels of education, your earning potential maximizes, making you a more appealing candidate to employers.  Although it may vary, research shows that some of the highest paying telecom roles include IC design engineer, antenna engineer, wireless communications engineer, and analog design engineer. All careers demand exceptional technical skills, problem solving, and expertise.

Skills to Accelerate Your Success as a Telecom Technician

To accelerate your success as a telecom technician, you must be well-versed in several skillsets. This includes excellent troubleshooting skills, site design, structural analysis, project management, and hand-eye coordination to name a few. It is also essential to know and understand cable installation, fiber optics, have extreme attention to detail, and exceptional customer service skills to best serve clients.

As noted by Ashley Sustek, you must be organized, have excellent communication skills, be open-minded, and possess the ability to ask questions and think outside of the box to achieve success in your role. “If we’re able to come up with outside of the box ideas, we become of bigger value to our customers.” Furthermore, she encourages anyone looking to join the field to bring in their outside experiences to foster learning and make everyone the best version of themselves.

Helpful Software to Learn in Telecommunications

Based on your level of experience upon entering the telecommunications field, you may be required to learn different software programs to help you get acclimated. As an entry-level hire, you will likely learn programs such as RISA or Smart Tool as stated by Ashley Sustek. She also mentioned that her team utilizes Tower Numerics – Tower Analysis and Design Software (TNX), a program designed specifically if you’re in working in the industry. Additionally, understanding Microsoft Word and Excel, or a basic understanding of computer-aided design (CAD) software is also exceptionally helpful.

Why Choose Colliers Engineering & Design?

As a member of our team, you can advance within the company and acquire multidisciplinary skillsets with the guidance of mentors and experts within the telecommunications industry. At Colliers Engineering & Design, we stand behind the philosophy that by working together, staying curious, and doing what’s right, we can achieve exceptional work experiences and accelerate the success of our communities, clients, and people. Whether you’re traveling across the country or meeting with other team leaders in the field, there are plenty of exciting opportunities for you to grow personally and professionally in the telecommunications discipline.

As a department manager in telecom, Ashley finds the most fulfillment in seeing her employees succeed and thrive in their work. “Seeing my employees succeed, thrive, and feel accomplished with how they handled a difficult situation they otherwise thought they couldn’t get through but did is the best part of my job.” She also finds tremendous value in the personal relationships she has built with her customers, such as Verizon, who thank her and her team for the services they have provided, and strong connection they’ve developed that drive her work forward each day.

Apply today for Colliers Engineering and Design

At Colliers Engineering & Design, we offer an array of remote positions, full-time job opportunities, and an engaging internship program tailored to meet your personal and professional goals. We also offer flexible working schedules, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, health coverage, mentorship programs, and 401K plans to benefit you and your needs.

As populations continue to rise, so do the demand for high internet speed. Colliers Engineering & Design sets you up with the tools needed for long-term success, support, and multidisciplinary growth no matter what stage of life you’re in.

Apply today to discover your next exciting career path in telecommunications.

Click here to begin your new journey.